Dead Candidate Wins Election in Alabama

If there’s any doubt how strong the GOP’s hold on Alabama is, consider this — a Republican nominee beat out the Democratic incumbent for a seat on the Bibb County Commission last week despite the fact that he died a month earlier. Congratulations, Alabama, on taking partisanship to a whole new level.

Despite the fact that he passed away on Oct. 12th, 77-year-old Republican Charles Beasley defeated Democrat Walter Sansing by carrying approximately 52% of the vote. Apparently, ballots had been printed before Beasley’s death and couldn’t be changed in time.

Beasley’s widow, Sarah, was understandably shocked. “Maybe it’s a respect thing,” she said. “Maybe there were some people out there who didn’t know. Also it may have been some were unsatisfied with his opponent.”

Still, Beasley’s widow said the win is a fitting tribute to her deceased husband, who was looking forward to filling the local county commission seat. “He was excited,” she said. “He loved it. He just loved being involved.”

But Sansing had a different take on the election and thinks the win was purely due to the Republican stranglehold on the state. “It is a touchy situation. When you are running against a dead man, you are limited as to what you can say,” he said.

Beasley’s seat isn’t expected to go vacant for long. The local GOP is preparing to make a recommendation to Governor Robert Bentley, who will then appoint a new commissioner.

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